The Teardown

For his most recent project, Seattle photographer Eirik Johnson recorded the last days of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. In the fall of 2018, the city’s Office of Arts and Culture commissioned Johnson to document the demolition of the iconic structure, which was torn down over the course of 8 months in 2019. He discusses his approach to his work and contemplates what comes next for the waterfront.

Architect David Miller has lived his entire life in proximity of Seattle’s Viaduct. As a child, he traveled its concrete decks with his family and in his adult life he has peered out over the elevated highway from his office at work and his downtown apartment. And now that the Viaduct is coming down – or being “undone” in his words – Miller is playing a role in determining what comes after.

Baso Fibonacci has lived and made art next to the Alaskan Way Viaduct for 10 years. The 90,000 cars that used the elevated highway each day served as soundtrack and inspiration. But the city has closed the viaduct and in a few months it will be completely torn down. What will happen to Baso and his art is an open question. But before the columns come down, the artist put on one last art show.